DeepL

DeepL is a neural machine translation service developed by DeepL SE, based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The company was founded in 2017 by Jaroslaw Kutylowski, and its main focus is to provide high-quality translations using advanced artificial intelligence technology. Initially offering translations between seven European languages, DeepL has expanded to support 33 languages, including Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Japanese, and Korean.

DeepL's translation method uses convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which are particularly suited for translating long and coherent sequences of words. The system is powered by a supercomputer located in Iceland, which operates at 5.1 petaflops and is supported by hydropower. DeepL's algorithms have been trained using the Linguee database, allowing it to provide translations that capture the nuances and context of the original text. The service is known for its high level of accuracy and natural-sounding translations, often surpassing other machine translation services like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and Amazon Translate in various tests.

DeepL offers both free and paid versions of its service. The free version allows translations of up to 1,500 characters per request, while the paid version, known as DeepL Pro, removes character limits and offers additional features. DeepL Pro subscribers can access the translation application programming interface (API), which allows businesses to integrate DeepL's translation technology into their own systems, such as websites, applications, and customer service platforms.

DeepL Write, a tool launched in early 2023, provides writing improvement features in English and German, offering grammar corrections and style suggestions. It was later expanded to include French and Spanish.

The company's translation service supports file formats such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and PDFs, maintaining the original formatting. DeepL Pro ensures data security by not storing translated texts on its servers, and complying with GDPR and ISO 27001 regulations.

DeepL has been recognised for its achievements, winning the Webby Awards for Best Practices and Technical Achievement in 2020. DeepL is supported by renowned investors such as Benchmark, an early-stage investor in companies like Dropbox, eBay, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Uber, and Yelp, along with btov.

As of 2023, DeepL reached a valuation of €1 billion, making it one of the most highly valued startups in Cologne. It is also ranked 78 on the Forbes Cloud 100 list in 2024.

DeepL was founded in 2017 by Jaroslaw Kutylowski. The company originated from Linguee, a translation search engine that had built a large database of translations. Within Linguee, a team led by Jaroslaw Kutylowski began working on a new machine translation system based on neural networks. This system eventually became the DeepL Translator, which was officially launched on 28 August 2017. The service initially offered translations between seven European languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Dutch.

In its early days, DeepL gained recognition for the quality of its translations, often surpassing its competitors in blind tests and BLEU (Bilingual Evaluation Understudy) scores. The company’s proprietary algorithm, based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), enabled it to deliver more accurate and natural-sounding translations than other services like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and Amazon Translate. The system was powered by a supercomputer located in Iceland, which operated at 5.1 petaflops using hydropower.

In March 2018, DeepL introduced DeepL Pro, a paid subscription service that removed character limits and offered additional features. These included API access for businesses and developers, allowing them to integrate DeepL’s translation technology into their own systems, such as websites and applications. DeepL Pro also ensured that translated texts were not stored on its servers, enhancing data security. This was especially important for businesses that required confidentiality in their communications.

By December 2018, DeepL expanded its language offerings by adding Portuguese and Russian to its platform. The company continued to grow and, in September 2019, it released desktop applications for Microsoft Windows and macOS. These applications allowed users to translate entire documents, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and PDF files, while maintaining the original formatting. This feature became particularly useful for businesses and professionals who needed quick and reliable translations.

In March 2020, DeepL expanded further by adding support for Chinese (simplified) and Japanese. These languages were significant additions as they opened DeepL to a wider global audience. The company claimed that its translations in these languages were more accurate than those of major competitors, including Baidu and Youdao. This was followed by the addition of 13 more European languages in March 2021, further increasing DeepL’s global reach.

In 2021, DeepL underwent a corporate restructuring and became a Societas Europaea (SE), marking an important step in its growth. The company continued to innovate and, in November 2022, it launched DeepL Write. This new tool aimed to improve the quality of monolingual texts by offering grammar corrections and style suggestions. DeepL Write was initially available in English and German, with French and Spanish being added in the summer of 2024.

In January 2023, DeepL reached a valuation of €1 billion, making it the highest-valued startup in Cologne. Prominent investors, including Benchmark, an early-stage investor in companies like Dropbox, eBay, Instagram, and btov supported this growth. DeepL’s investors have played a crucial role in helping the company expand its services and reach new markets.

In 2024, DeepL continued to expand its language offerings, adding Korean, Ukrainian, and Turkish. The company’s translation service now supports 33 languages in total. Its API is widely used by businesses to integrate multilingual workflows, and DeepL continues to refine its machine-learning models to ensure higher accuracy in translations.

DeepL’s services are compliant with GDPR and ISO 27001 standards, ensuring that user data is secure. The company has maintained its focus on data privacy and security, particularly for businesses using its Pro services.

Today, DeepL remains a leading provider of machine translation and writing tools, continually improving its technology to meet the needs of its global user base. The company’s ongoing work in AI-driven language solutions has made it a key player in the translation industry, and it continues to innovate to break down language barriers.

DeepL's mission is to break down language barriers and enable seamless global communication through advanced artificial intelligence. Since its founding in 2017, the company has focused on providing accurate, human-like translations across multiple languages. DeepL aims to help businesses and individuals communicate clearly and efficiently, regardless of language differences. The company continually enhances its neural network models to improve translation quality, ensuring users get precise translations that capture the nuances of the original text. DeepL also prioritises data security and privacy, making it a trusted solution for global communication in various industries

DeepL’s vision is to create a world where language is no longer a barrier to communication. The company aims to make its advanced translation technology accessible to everyone, enabling smooth, accurate communication across different languages. By continuously improving its AI-powered translation tools, DeepL seeks to become the leading platform for global language solutions. The focus is on helping businesses, professionals, and individuals connect and collaborate without language limitations. DeepL also strives to maintain the highest standards of security and privacy, ensuring that users can trust its services in every context.

DeepL has received several awards and recognition for its advanced translation technology. In 2020, the company won two Webby Awards for Best Practices and Technical Achievement in the category of Apps, Mobile, and Voice. These awards recognised DeepL’s innovative approach to machine translation. Additionally, its high-quality translations have consistently outperformed major competitors like Google Translate and Microsoft Translator in independent tests. DeepL has also been named to the Forbes Cloud 100 list for two consecutive years, acknowledging its significant impact on the tech industry and its role as a leading AI-driven language solution.

DeepL offers a range of products and services designed to facilitate high-quality translation and improve written communication. Its main focus is on providing AI-driven tools that are accurate, secure, and adaptable for various use cases. Below is a detailed overview of DeepL’s key products and services.

DeepL Translator

DeepL Translator is the company’s core product, launched in August 2017. It uses advanced neural machine translation technology, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs), to deliver accurate translations between 33 languages. These languages include major global languages such as English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and more. The free version of DeepL Translator allows users to translate up to 1,500 characters at a time and supports file translations for Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and PDFs while maintaining the original formatting.

DeepL’s translations are known for their high quality, capturing the nuances and context of the source text. The translator can be used through a web interface, desktop applications, or mobile apps, making it accessible for both casual users and professionals.

DeepL Pro

DeepL Pro is a paid version of the DeepL Translator, introduced in March 2018. It removes the character limit, allowing users to translate unlimited text. DeepL Pro subscribers also gain access to additional features, including an application programming interface (API) that allows businesses to integrate DeepL’s translation services into their own systems. The API supports translations for various file types, including Word, PowerPoint, PDFs, and even HTML files.

DeepL Pro is designed with enterprise users in mind. One of its key features is data security—translated texts are not stored on DeepL’s servers, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. The service also supports Single Sign-On (SSO) and is compliant with major security standards like GDPR and ISO 27001, making it suitable for industries with strict data protection requirements.

DeepL Write

In January 2023, DeepL launched DeepL Write, a tool designed to improve the quality of monolingual text in English and German. DeepL Write provides advanced writing suggestions, including grammar corrections, style improvements, and clarity adjustments. Users can easily turn drafts of emails, reports, or other documents into polished texts that are both professional and easy to read. The tool also supports multiple writing styles, allowing users to choose the tone and formality level that best fits their audience.

DeepL Write is integrated into the broader DeepL ecosystem and is available as part of DeepL Pro. In the summer of 2024, support for French and Spanish was added, with more languages expected to follow.

DeepL API

The DeepL API is a key service for developers and businesses, allowing them to integrate DeepL’s translation technology into their internal systems and workflows. The API supports a wide range of use cases, including website localisation, document translation, customer support, and internal communication. It supports translations of text and various file formats, such as Word, PowerPoint, PDF, HTML, and XML, while maintaining the document’s original formatting.

One of the main advantages of the DeepL API is its ability to scale across large operations. Businesses can automate their translation workflows and ensure consistent, high-quality translations. The API also supports the use of glossaries, which allows companies to maintain consistent terminology across multiple languages. It offers predictable pricing models, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale translation needs.

Security and Compliance

DeepL is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and privacy. The company’s services are GDPR compliant and adhere to ISO 27001 standards. DeepL ensures that business data is never stored or used to train its models without explicit user consent. This level of data protection makes DeepL an ideal choice for businesses that prioritise confidentiality.